Category: Azer News

The Chairman of the Management Board of Uzbekneftegaz JSC met with the President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to discuss the implementation of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on geological exploration and the acceleration of related operations in the Ustyurt Plateau, Azernews reports, citing Uzbekneftegaz.

The meeting took place within the framework of the “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025” (OGT-2025) international exhibition and conference.

During the talks, both sides agreed on a set of measures aimed at expediting fieldwork, ensuring the necessary technical and logistical support, and enhancing the efficiency of the project’s current phase.

The parties also outlined plans to deepen cooperation in the application of artificial intelligence tools, digital solutions, and automated management systems. These technologies are expected to boost production efficiency, optimize costs, and strengthen environmental sustainability.

It should be noted that in August 2024, Uzbekneftegaz and SOCAR signed a cooperation agreement in the hydrocarbon industry, initiating geological studies – including seismic exploration – and preparatory work for hydrocarbon production in the Ustyurt Plateau.

Azerbaijan’s literary has been promoted at Frankfurt International Book Fair in Germany, Azernews reports.

This year, the fair once again united thousands of publishers, authors, translators, booksellers, and cultural figures from across the globe.

Azerbaijan participated in one of the world’s largest publishing events, with an expansive pavilion, backed by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

The pavilion featured works by Azerbaijan’s renowned writers and poets, modern Azerbaijani publications, examples of children’s literature, and publications reflecting the country’s national culture and heritage, all of which attracted the attention of visitors.

During the fair, the Azerbaijani delegation held exhibitions, presentations, and international meetings. Cooperation opportunities with foreign publishers were discussed, and new agreements were reached to promote Azerbaijani literature on the global stage.

The Frankfurt International Book Fair is considered one of the main events in the global book industry, bringing together over 4,000 participants from more than 100 countries.

The main purpose of Azerbaijan’s participation was to promote the country’s publishing and book industry, national literature, and cultural potential at an international level.

The Azerbaijani pavilion was met with great interest from visitors.

It is expected that the connections made during the fair will contribute to the development of literary and cultural collaborations in the future.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest global event for the publishing industry, centered on the international exchange of book rights, networking, and exploring emerging trends and technologies in publishing.

Held every October, it is regarded as the key event for international book transactions and highlights a “Guest of Honour” country each year to spotlight its literature and cultural heritage.

The 2025 Frankfurt International Book Fair is a major event in the publishing world.

It will host thousands of exhibitors engaging in rights and license negotiations, with the Philippines honored as the official Guest of Honor.

Notable features include a special Book-to-Screen Day, focusing on the adaptation of books into films and games, along with a variety of events, exhibitions, and guided tours throughout the fair.

The autumn sowing campaign has begun in Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil District, Azernews reports.

According to projections, autumn grain crops will be planted across 13,340 hectares this season. Of this area, 1,710 hectares are expected to be irrigated farmland, ensuring higher yields and more efficient cultivation.

As part of the preparation process, local farmers have already ploughed over 9,657 hectares, representing 72 percent of the planned sowing area. Notably, 9,200 hectares of the cultivated land are located in territories liberated from occupation, reflecting the ongoing restoration of agricultural activity in the region.

So far, 221 hectares have been sown, including 85 hectares of wheat and 136 hectares of barley.

The sowing campaign in Jabrayil is part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to revitalize agricultural production in the liberated territories, enhance food security, and support rural livelihoods through sustainable farming initiatives.

Another Azerbaijani boxer has secured a spot in the semifinals at the European U15 Boxing Championships in Budva, Montenegro, Azernews reports.

Nasrin Abdullazade earned this opportunity by defeating Esila Yildirim (Turkiye) in the quarterfinals.

Competing in the 40 kg category, the national team member won with a 5:0 score (29:28, 30:27, 30:27, 30:27, 29:28). With this victory, Abdullazade has at least secured a bronze medal.

Abdullazade will fight for a spot in the final against Ellie May Featherson (Ireland) on October 23.

A total of 369 boxers from 32 countries participate in the European U15 Boxing Championships.

Boxing is recognized as one of the oldest sports in human history, with the earliest records of the sport dating back to ancient Egypt around 3,000 BC.

The Greeks introduced boxing to the ancient Olympic Games in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was founded, and in 1946, it was renamed the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

Azerbaijan hosted its first boxing championship in 1926, with national boxers claiming first place. Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA.

Azerbaijani boxers have earned numerous prestigious accolades in international competitions. Aghasi Mammadov made history by becoming Azerbaijan’s first gold medalist at the World Championships. Fuad Asadov also earned a spot on the podium at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Azerbaijan has been selected several times to host major boxing events.

The country previously hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which served as the main qualification tournament for the London 2012 Olympics.

In 2019, Baku hosted the AIBA Youth World Championships, marking the first youth competition to act as a qualifier for the 2010 Singapore Olympics.

It is pleasing that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary is deepening day by day, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, Azernews reports.

“The current level of interstate relations with Hungary, our friendly country and strategic partner, is gratifying. Undoubtedly, mutual visits, regular contacts, and close cooperation create favorable conditions for the further development and strengthening of these relations.

The scope of issues currently on our bilateral agenda is very broad. It is pleasing that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary is deepening day by day and that our fruitful partnership in the energy sector is developing on an upward trajectory. The intensity of our political dialogue plays an important role in enriching our joint activities in all areas with new content.

I would like to specifically highlight our cooperation within international organizations, particularly the Organization of Turkic States. Our participation this year in the organization’s summits – mine in Budapest and yours in Gabala – clearly demonstrates the importance we attach to further strengthening the unity and solidarity between our peoples and states, as well as expanding our relations on the multilateral stage.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts successfully in the future to further strengthen and deepen the friendly relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, in line with the will of our peoples,” President Ilham Aliyev said.

On October 23 every year, the world comes together to observe International Snow Leopard Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of one of the planet’s most elusive and endangered animals, the snow leopard, Azernews reports.

The day was established in 2013, following the Global Snow Leopard Forum held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where world leaders and conservationists gathered to address the urgent need to protect the snow leopard population, which has been dwindling.

Delegates from 12 countries where snow leopards are found came together to develop the Bishkek Declaration, a framework for ensuring the protection of the species.

The declaration included commitments to improve national conservation efforts, strengthen international collaboration, and increase funding for snow leopard conservation.

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the irbis, is a large wild cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and the rugged mountains of the Greater Caucasus. These beautiful creatures play a significant role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. As apex predators, snow leopards help regulate populations of prey species, which in turn helps preserve the fragile mountain environments they inhabit.

Despite their importance to the ecosystem, snow leopards face an uncertain future. It is estimated that fewer than 7,000 snow leopards remain in the wild. Their population is severely threatened by illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and loss of prey species.

The snow leopard is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and it is included in Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which prohibits international trade in its body parts.

United Nations recognizes snow leopard’s ecological role

In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly took a historic step by adopting a resolution officially designating October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day. This resolution emphasized the critical role that snow leopards play in the conservation of mountain ecosystems, which are vital for supplying water and other natural resources to a significant portion of the global population.

By acknowledging the snow leopard’s role in protecting the ecological balance of these mountainous regions, the UN highlighted the importance of conserving not only the species but also the delicate environments in which they live.

Countries that signed the resolution included those from the snow leopard`s range, such as Afghanistan, China, India,Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These nations, where snow leopards roam in their high-altitude habitats, have pledged to work together to ensure the protection of the species and its ecosystem.

Azerbaijan’s role in snow leopard conservation

In Azerbaijan, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been actively involved in the conservation of the snow leopard population since 2001.

The conservation of the Caucasian snow leopards has been one of the most important activities undertaken by WWF in Azerbaijan since 2001.

This program has been supported by the International Dialogue for Environmental Protection, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the head of the IDEA Public Union.

The efforts in Azerbaijan are part of a broader initiative that includes monitoring snow leopard populations, establishing protected areas, and working with local communities to promote sustainable practices that support both wildlife and human livelihoods.

The Azerbaijani wrestler Elmir Aliyev (55 kg) has become a world champion for the first time, Azernews reports.

Elmir Aliyev (55 kg) faced Russian Alibek Amirov in the final of the U-23 World Wrestling Championship in Serbia.

The national wrestler avenged his loss to Amirov in the semifinals of the championship, winning 3-2.

The next victory came from Ruslan Nurullayev (72 kg). In the consolation match, he defeated Ukrainian Oleg Khalilov 3-1, and in the bronze medal match, he won against Armenian Gaspar Terteryan with the same score, 3-1.

With one day remaining in the Greco-Roman wrestling competition, our team has set a new record in terms of the number of medals.

For the first time, the Azerbaijani team has won two gold medals at the U-23 World Wrestling Championship

On the previous day, Ziya Babashov (63 kg) claimed the highest position on the podium.

Note that the Azerbaijani team includes Elmir Aliyev (55 kg), Ilkin Gurbanov (60 kg), Ziya Babashov (63 kg), Faraim Mustafayev (67 kg), Ruslan Nurullayev (72 kg), Davud Mammadov (77 kg), Elmin Aliyev (82 kg), Lachin Valiyev (87 kg), Ali Guliyev (97 kg), and Aykhan Mardanov (130 kg).

They are competing at the tournament under the leadership of head coach Aleksandr Tarakanov, senior coach Rovshan Bayramov, and coaches Hasan Aliyev and Kamran Mammadov.

The female athletes representing Azerbaijan are Asmar Jankurtaran (50 kg), Elnura Mammadova (53 kg), Gultakin Shirinova (55 kg), Nargiz Samadova (57 kg), Gunay Gurbanova (59 kg), Birgul Soltanova (62 kg), and Ruzanna Mammadova (65 kg).

Women wrestlers have entered the competition under the leadership of acting head coach Togrul Asgarov, senior coach Aghahuseyn Mustafayev, and coach Solmaz Adilova.

Freestyle wrestlers will compete in the final days of the tournament, including Muhammadali Alizade (57 kg), Jeykhun Allahverdiyev (61 kg), Aykhan Abdullazad? (65 kg), Kanan Heybatov (70 kg), Magomed-Bashir Khaniyev (74 kg), Farid Jabbarov (79 kg), Ali Tsokayev (86 kg), Sadig Mustafazade (92 kg), Zafar Aliyev (97 kg), and Khetag Karsanov (125 kg), under the leadership of head coach Khetag Gazyumov, senior coach Jabrayil Hasanov, and coaches Taymuraz Kokoyev and Sharif Sharifov.

The World Championship is officiated by Category I referee Asif Shiraliyev, as well as Category I referees Kamran Aliyev and Habib Nurulu.

Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the country and is governed by the National Wrestling Federation, established in 1993.

The Rio Olympic Games marked a new chapter in Azerbaijan’s wrestling history, as the nation became one of only two countries ever to increase its medal count in five consecutive Olympic Games.

In 2020, Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal table of the Individual World Cup in Serbia.

National wrestlers won two medals, including silver and bronze. Russia topped the medal table, followed by Turkiye.

In 2022, Azerbaijani wrestler Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg) was crowned the World Champion in Belgrade.

Nurmagomedov became the World Champion after defeating the Russian wrestler in the final.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Greco-Roman wrestler Hasrat Jafarov (67 kg), freestyle wrestlers Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (97 kg) won bronze medals for Azerbaijan.

The Trkiye Wealth Fund (TVF), which manages strategic partnerships of state-owned enterprises, has so far invested $13 billion. With 34 companies operating in strategic sectors such as finance, technology, telecommunications, transportation, logistics, energy, mining, food, and agriculture – along with 2 licenses and 46 properties under its umbrella – the Fund holds total assets worth 12.7 trillion Turkish lira. As Trkiye’s largest holding company and the biggest investor on Borsa Istanbul with its publicly listed companies valued at $25 billion, TVF is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

At a roundtable meeting in Istanbul, Trkiye Wealth Fund CEO Arda Ermut shared insights into the Fund’s contribution to the national economy, its ongoing projects, and its growing global profile. Joined by Deputy CEO Mahmut Kayacik, Ermut emphasized that TVF, with $360 billion in total assets, now ranks among the world’s top ten sovereign wealth funds.

‘We have substantial cash reserves,’ Ermut noted. ‘It’s gratifying to see that we’ve transitioned from being a fund that seeks investment opportunities to one that now receives investment offers. We’re getting many proposals from both domestic and international investors, and we are evaluating all of them carefully.’

Providing details on the operations of the Trkiye Technology Fund (TTF) – a venture capital initiative launched from scratch – Ermut said:

‘Rather than investing directly in startups, TTF operates as a fund of funds, investing in venture capital and private equity funds. Its mission is to catalyze the development of Trkiye’s capital markets and deepen its entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over the past two years, TTF has committed over $100 million across more than ten funds. These include not only Trkiye-based funds but also well-established, internationally recognized ones.’

Ermut highlighted particular interest in petrochemical and mining investments, noting that Trkiye Maden currently holds 25 licenses.

‘Drilling and geological studies totaling 300,000 meters have been completed across four priority sites,’ he said. ‘In Balikesir’s Ivrindi district, we discovered gold reserves worth $2.5 billion, while in Kastamonu’s Tasköpr region, we found high-grade copper deposits. Our goal is to channel all of these resources into the national economy.’

Deputy CEO Mahmut Kayacik noted that the Fund’s equity grew by 16 percent last year, surpassing 2 trillion lira, while 2024 results included 548 billion lira in operating profit and 371 billion lira in net profit.

‘Since 2024, TVF has secured $5.3 billion in financing,’ Kayacik said. ‘More than $4.5 billion of this came from international markets, while $1.8 billion was raised through Islamic finance instruments.’

Arda Ermut also underlined efforts to produce domestically the core chemical and plastic raw materials that Trkiye currently imports.

‘Trkiye’s average annual import bill for petrochemical products stands at around $25 billion, while domestic production meets less than 10 percent of demand,’ he explained. ‘Land surveys have been completed, and discussions with both domestic and international strategic partners are ongoing.’

Within the framework of the Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Project, TVF plans to use approximately 4 million tons of naphtha and 1.3 million tons of LPG annually to produce 4.1 million tons of marketable petrochemical products.

‘Once the project, which is planned to be established in the Iskenderun Gulf region, is completed, we aim to reduce imports in these product categories by about 50 percent,’ Ermut said.

Through these strategic investments, Trkiye Wealth Fund aims to strengthen national industry, reduce import dependency, and elevate Trkiye’s position as a global economic actor on the eve of its 10th anniversary.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the National Paralympic Committee and the Azerbaijan Swimming Federation, Azernews reports.

The memorandum was officially signed by Togrul Rahimov, Secretary-General of the National Paralympic Committee, and Ogtay Atayev, Secretary-General of the Azerbaijan Swimming Federation.

A comprehensive meeting was held between the officials of both organizations regarding the memorandum.

The parties discussed future cooperation opportunities in the development of para-swimming as a sport, the conditions created for athletes, preparation for international competitions, and the promotion of inclusive sports.

Under the terms of the memorandum, both organizations will work together to advance para-swimming in the country, involve individuals with disabilities in swimming, and implement joint initiatives, such as awareness campaigns.

Azerbaijan made its Paralympic Games debut at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, competing in track and field and power lifting. In the same year, the National Paralympic Committee was established.

Since 1996, national paralympians have taken part in many international competitions and six Paralympic Games. They enriched the country’s medal haul with multiple awards.

The Azerbaijani Paralympic team has made significant progress since the Tokyo 2020 Games, where they won 14 medals, including 4 gold, 4 silver, and 6 bronze.

Notable athletes, including Olympic gold medalists Lamiya Valiyeva and Said Najafzade, proudly represented their country by waving its national flag during the official country parade at the closing ceremony of the Summer Paralympic Games.

The Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games brought together 4,000 athletes from around the world.

The event marked the first time Paris hosted the Summer Paralympics and the second time that France has hosted the Paralympic Games, after Tignes and Albertville jointly hosted the 1992 Winter Paralympics.

Azerbaijani paralympians have secured 51 medals in international competitions in 2025.

This impressive tally includes 14 gold, 17 silver, and 20 bronze medals, showcasing the athletes’ outstanding performances in a range of sports.

The Azerbaijan Swimming Federation (ASF) is the national governing body for swimming in Azerbaijan, responsible for developing the sport and managing the national team.

It promotes swimming for both sport and life skills, organizes national and international competitions, and is focused on modernizing and expanding infrastructure, as evidenced by recent strategic plans and the appointment of new head coach Luka Gabrilo.

The ASF also supports various aquatic disciplines like artistic swimming and water polo, and has a strong online presence to connect with the public

At third CIS Games, the Azerbaijani swimmers won a total of 13 medals, which was a first for them at this event.

For the first time in many years, an Azerbaijani plane landed in Yerevan. This event is a significant detail that could mark a regular pattern in the relations between the two countries soon. This time, all arrangements from the flight to Yerevan to the development of the program and press release were made solely by the two countries, reflecting a bilateral initiative. This is highly important for the peace process, as such independently organized meetings place additional responsibility on the parties and provide fresh momentum for peace efforts.

A new phase in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process is emerging, highlighted by bilateral initiatives in Yerevan aimed at fostering dialogue between societies, building trust, and advancing sustainable peace.